Alcombright Campaign On: 08:47AM / Monday November 07, 2011
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Candidate Richard Alcombright, who is running for a second term as mayor, responds to his opponent's pledge to cut the sewer fee:
In his most recent communication, Councilor Boucher states that he will reduce the sewer fee by 50 percent. He further stated that I promised at the time of the adoption of the fee that it would be placed in an enterprise fund to be used for infrastructure improvements. For the record, that was not what was presented nor was it what the Council voted on. But that aside, let me state the hard reality of Mr. Boucher's last-minute campaign promise.
While the sewer fee was controversial and one of the most difficult decisions I had to make, it has been used to offset the approximately $1 million assessment that the city receives each year from the Hoosac Water Quality District. This years' budget reflects a sewer fee revenue line item of $745,000 which is approximately 42 percent of our water revenue. Should Mr. Boucher cut this revenue line item by 50 percent as stated, $372,500 will be slashed from our local receipts.
Mr. Boucher's promise to cut the sewer fee with absolutely no plan as to how to replace the revenue or cut the budget seems very irresponsible. The reality here is that the FY2012 budget has been set and expenses have been allotted based on anticipated revenues (to include the sewer fee). Does this mean mid-cycle cuts in the school and municipal budget and what will those cuts be? Additionally, if Councilor Boucher is that adamantly opposed to the sewer fee, why not remove it entirely? How far back will this take us?
I have stated time after time that I have not made any of my fiscal decisions in a vacuum. They have been made in consultation with city finance department heads, the City Council Finance Committee, our external auditors and the Department of Revenue. I have made significant strides in reducing our deficits through a combination of cuts coupled with increases in revenue and the institution of efficiencies. Please believe me when I tell you....cutting the sewer fee will only add to further cuts in the budget and further reduction in services. And while no one likes a sewer fee, it plays a vital role in the funding of services in our city.
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Everyone, the Transcript just broke their own rules....no articles were to be accepted after 11/4. Ron's press release did not appear until 11/5....so how could dick have sent in a rebuttal? They are so far in the tank it is disgraceful and I think that will actually backfire.
People can smell this a mile away.
Dick you have told so many lies do you expect people are going to take your word about this. Enough is enough that is why the override did not pass. You had the money and still pushed for more needed or not. VOTE RON
How come Ron saved the 50% off sewer fee until the very end. Becuase he's desperate! He can't promise that. He has to have council approval. The same council that approved it. Ron says it was supposed to go into an enterprise fund. All the meetings are online at NBCTC. I challenge Ron to find the meeting where Alcombright said the sewer fee would go into an enterprise fund. It's not Alcombright's fault Ron doesn't pay attention at meetings. Shame on Ron for another last minute low attack. Ron will get what he deserves after this election. People will have learned Ron is not only dub, but he's not the nice guy everyone thought he was. Listen to his radio ad. All attacks and no answers on how he would make things better. If he's that upset over all the financial mistakes he believes happened he should have spoken up before Barrett told him to. He was city council president, wasn't he?
These latest scare tactics by Dick will tip lots of people for Ron....obvious the transcript is in the bag too...here Jen H admits it.
http://www.thetranscript.com/letters/ci_19262044
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